The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-11-26
PUBLIC ANDsrciENTs.

| From the Trinity Church Bell, Hsnnibal.l
Among the countless instances where
devotion to Cesar infringes upon duty
to God, possibly not one is more insidi-
GUS than that arising from the misuse
Of worldly amusements. There can
be no doubt that men and women are
going to enjoy this world as long as
they are in it. Indeed, God has given
1t to US for this very thing-to use and
not to abuse it; else He would not
have implanted those desires in human
nature which seek their legitimate
qualification in the amusements and
pleasures of the world. The writer is
no fanatic. He does not believe that
Beelzebub should monopolize the good
things of this life.
But let US discriminate here. While
we do not "church" our people for in
dulging IN this or that public pleasure,
we cannot fail TO warn them always Of
their danger as we'll as their privilege
in 80 doing. Liberty Is one thing,
license is quite another. Our baptis-
NAL vows are strictly personal. Dost
thou renounce? Dost thou believer
Wilt thou keep? The whole responsi.
bility is thus placed upon the candi-
date; not upon parents, or sponsors,
or minister.
Especially are We to lead to these re-
Elections by the return of the opera
season. Every week or oitener some
public amusement is now offered, and
at which the Christians of Hannibal
will be found along with the sinners.
We present just two thoughts for
those of our own household of faith.
And first, as to the frequency Of your
attendance. Some Christians are go
given to these "pomps and vsnities Of
the world" that every entertainment
finds them within the walls of the opera
house. This clearly shows that the
world has you fast. Sometimes out
side the lenten season you must say
s'nc," and say it on principle. No
Christian that is dlt0ays seen at these
public entertainments can possibly be
| q dev0ut Christian. Your standard 10
too low for this Even if the best talent
of the land performed each night, you
should sometimes refuse to 60 because
you are Christian, and are pledged
by sacred vows to "lOve not the world"
Moreover, there are two evenings in
the week on which no churchmsn will
likely be seen there: Fridays, which
are 80 full of their tremendous memo
ries; and Saturdays. because of their
uniting you for the service on the
day following.
But secondly, what shall be the quail
ity of the performance? Perhaps you
will be outraged here at times, despite
your best precautions, for the reputa-
ton of troupe or the comments of the
press are not q warrant for clean
entertainment. But there is one thing
that may guide you-the posters on tho
street. Look at these, and you can at
least tell what you ought not to patron
ize. They will tell you what to expect
on the stage; and if these be our stand
ard, we DO not hesitate to say that NO
,, , pure minded person can attend the
,, average troupe that comes to Hannibal
!, And yet, not few of our otherwise
> most exemplary Christians will attend
= every possible play put on the boards
without once uttering dissent from
/ what may just miss uncleanness.
We are persuaded that reform Is call
!, ed for here Not that the church mus
! come forth and try to purify tho thea
: ter, but that Christians should refus,
o longer TO patronize that which is im'
h pure. If parents cared more thes
days for the morals of their children
!. and If young ladies would use wise
, discrimination in accepting such invi
=, tations, we would have cleaner II nc
. more brilliant performances on th
n stage.